FEELING LUCKY: Hafjell World Cup Downhill Qualifying
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<b>Multiple international studies have shown higher and more violent car accident rates on Friday the 13th. Wonder what the studies would look like on the DH course? Juniors giving it their all today.</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Friday the 13th going 2 for 2 so far.</b> @Maddogboris

<b>Ok, enough of the Friday the 13th crap. There were four British National champions qualifying fastest in all of the categories today. Those Union Jacks were flying and Gee Atherton led the charge.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>Sik Mick is the all-around package now. Fast on the pedal and fast on the tech. He was 1st at both splits during qualifying and only .11 off Gee's pace. #nowthatsafreakingrace</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Bryceland and how not to get the fastest in the speed trap. Speed and Style confusion again?</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>Lorenzo Suding doing it the right way.</b> -Steel City Media

<b>Danny Hart has mastered the art of the tuck.</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Last year's winner at Hafjell, Stevie Smith. He was only 2.5-seconds off the pace of Gee Atherton today and ended up in 5th. Eyes on the prize.</b> @Maddogboris

<b>World Champ, Greg Minnaar, marginally decreased the points gap between him and Stevie today. 3rd here last year he's looking to that top spot.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>Erm...we'll let Sven explain this one.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>Sam Blenkinsop headed towards the crux of the track, the steep, rocky woods with awkward, tricky, slippery exit. Since you saw my perch and posture to get this shot, hopefully you might appreciate it a little more.</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Blenkinsop handling the 27.5s with aplomb.</b> -Steel City Media

<b>Troy Brosnan qualified in 6th place, but was only 3-seconds off 1st place. Race day is going to be nuts.</b> @Maddogboris

<b>Classic Sam Hill, two wheel drifting 'round the inside. A top 10 qualifying result for Sam, however it looks like there's plenty more to come from him.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>Or, unlike Sam, you can run outside holding lots of speed while a corner full of media get pelted with loose dirt and gravel. Pekoll, the sleeping giant.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>We have been holding off bringing you a Robin Wallner shot even though he has been shredding here as per usual. We hope this makes up for it. Kerning! 13th place qualifier.</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Claire Kovarik on her first World Cup since her big injury. Welcome back with an 8th place qualifier!</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Michael Andersson from Sweden during Junior seeding. Keeping the head up and eyes front. Fundamentals.</b> -Sven Martin

<b>A viking and a viking in the making. The Vestaviks, your start commissaire and A plate course sweeper.</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Even the "bike park" bits to the track have rough and wild flowy sections to them. High-speed berms, fade aways and blonde marshals around every corner.</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Lanky Junior in seeding.</b> -Sven Martin

<b>Despite 1st place qualifying, Pete stays up late making sure every last detail on Gee's bike is perfect for tomorrow's training. Any mechanical issues won't go unnoticed at the level these riders push their gear.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>Early morning shadows on the way to the track distracted Sven and myself. The golden light in the morning makes Hafjell one of the best looking locations all year.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>The alternate pole-buzzing-fisheye-brushing line on this jump. Prematurely leaving the lip to keep the line straight.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>Norweigan views shredded by #allthelads' Sam Dale. 20th in qualifying, he looks set to rival his 18th place in Fort William for this best World Cup result of the year.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>The Junior leader's jersey is highly coveted. Noel's worn it once already this year and is hunting down the overall with two rounds to go.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>Chris Kovarik was certainly set for qualifying until a front flat left him raging down the lower section of track and missing the cut off by a small margin.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>It doesn't hurt to see this again LOL.</b> -Duncan Philpott

<b>One heavy crew. The reason Vital slideshows look so good all packed into 30 square feet of turf. STAY TUNED FOR MORE FROM THIS PACK OF RIFFRAFF IN NORWAY!</b> @Maddogboris

For Friday the 13th, downhill qualifying at the Hafjell World Cup went off without any major snafus. Gee and Rachel Atherton took the honor of top spot, but not without some serious competition. Soak up the sights and sounds from the blistering Norway venue with the best action on the web thanks to Sven Martin, Duncan Philpott and Joe Bowman.